Cattleya bowringiana

[ozorchid]

Hi everyone. Here is another that has opened recently. Hope you like it.

[bench72]

very nice and lots of flowers there... mine is also in bloom, but alas only two flowers this time around... must be because I've hardly been watering or fertilising lately...

[ozorchid]

very nice and lots of flowers there... mine is also in bloom, but alas only two flowers this time around... must be because I've hardly been watering or fertilising lately...

Oh dear! just two? hope they are nice... he he he...just joking. It happens to me aswel sometimes, just when you think the spathes are full of blooms...two are rotten or stuck and the rest are twisted and looking really awful. Luck of the game with these things at times huh? Lucky this year I kept an eye on this one as it has been very hot in the greenhouse and I feared for the worst.
Would have been nice to have got more than one new growth this season, I think I may cut the rhizome and hope it put out more than one new growth next year... what you think? to cut or not to cut?
Cheers

[JUDIUK]

Beautiful! My favourite colour!

[ozorchid]

Thanks Judiuk, He is a special little guy, every year without fail and any special requirements rewards us with these lovely blooms. I recommend everybody to have one, that is, if you have the room as they can grow quite tall. Mine is almost 50cm high and it is only a small plant!!!
Cheers

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Like it?? I love it! That is wonderful! Well grown and bloomed! Bravo.



Cheers,
BD

[ischel1]

Makes me want to jump up and cheer. Good growing Oz.

[cindiras]

Oz, question for you- You mention cutting the rhizome to force new growth? Is that making a small slice in the stem just above a bud?

[Cjcorner]

Good question, what does cutting the rhyzome do???
Connie

[ozorchid]

Oz, question for you- You mention cutting the rhizome to force new growth? Is that making a small slice in the stem just above a bud?

Firstly, thank you all for the lovely feedback. Cindiras, that is correct. I sever the rhizome just above a bud if it is visible, or if not I just cut half way between the two old growths and hope for the best...it usually works for me hence why I mentioned it. BUT...do not do this to a weak plant or sick for that matter, it will cause more problems initially.
I have done this with my Sophronitis and most Catts and find that it helps to fill out the pots or mounts. What it basically does is force the plant into growth, just like in the wild, this mechanism is a survival trick in case the plant was crushed or the new growths eaten by wildlife. My advice is that if any of you wish to do this treatment make sure the plant is firstly healthy, after doing the cuts dust the area with some fungicide or a powdered cinnamon, then keep it fairly dry for a few weeks. This should work.
I advised a customer of ours at work to do this and she rang last week after 3 months and said her Laelia anceps has gone nuts!!! she did 2 cuts on rhizome and now has 6 new growths from the same plant.!! she was sooo happy. She has now moved on to do the same treatment to the Catts.
This advice is of my own opinion only and it works for me, but if you are unsure or doubtful to go ahead and cut the plants up, it is at your discretion. What works for me may not work for some.
And remember, the plants MUST NOT be re-potted after you do this severing, they have to remain in pot and use the entire root mass to feed on. Repotting will definitely stress it and may cause problems, wait till new growths arise.
Hope that helps.
Cheers